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JVB Productions BMW R 1200 wethead service video
By Moshe Levy #108259
AS THE PROUD OWNER OF A 2015 R 1200 RT-LC, I couldn’t help think- ing about how much things have changed since I bought my first Oil- head RT 10 years ago. This new gen- eration of liquid-cooled R 1200s (GS, GSA, RT, R, and RS) are in some ways more complicated than their air/oil- cooled predecessors, and service costs have risen over time as well. Hourly labor rates at our local NJ/ NY BMW dealerships now hover at $110, meaning “minor” 6K services can lighten your wallet by $355, while “major” 12k ser- vices can cost $550 and often more. Despite these
changes, the most imperative constant remains: For those who want to do it themselves, BMW R-Series motorcycles aren’t very difficult to service. The potential financial savings are obviously substantial, especially if one rides enough to require multiple services per season. More importantly, the in-depth bond- ing and technical confidence that come only with wrenching on your own bike is priceless. To this end, Jim Bade has produced a full length instructional video which covers all routine maintenance of the new “Wet- head” R-bikes. The new DVD, titled “R1200 (LC) Wethead Service,” shows Mr. Bade
36 BMW OWNERS NEWS September 2015
performing all of the following tasks on a new liquid-cooled GS: 1) Oil change 2) Valve check and adjust 3) Final drive oil change 4) Air Filter change 5) Brake fluid flush 6) Diagnostics using GS911 Tool
customary service on their older air-cooled Hexhead or Oilhead twins will find them- selves on familiar ground with the new Wetheads, and Jim makes it very easy to see exactly what needs to be done, step by care- ful step. By reviewing the tasks methodi- cally, one gains the benefits of an experienced hand and can avoid making the clumsy mistakes of a beginner. Indeed, there are some physical techniques as simple as using a feeler gauge that no amount of reading can teach, and watching the video clarifies such issues in detail. The viewer is occasionally directed online to http://
www.jvbproductions.com/ where supplemental pic- tures, updates, tool lists, bolt torque values, and more can be easily downloaded to help with the process. One can argue that
today’s DIYers are savvier than ever, thanks to the wealth of information freely available online. Between this video and the addi- tional supplemental mate- rial catalogued on the JVB
7) Miscellaneous checks (including hydrau- lic clutch fluid check, sidestand function- ality, coolant level check, bolt torque check, and spoke check) 8) Brake pad service
Finding the specific information a viewer needs is simple, since each task is assigned its own “chapter” on the DVD. Production values are very good, with excellent light- ing, sharp graphics, and reasonable sound quality. BMW riders used to this type of
website, it is hard to imagine that any rider with even a minimal level of experience, patience, and basic hand tools would have difficulty tackling the routine maintenance of a new BMW Wethead flat-twin. Own an older R 11xx or R 1200 Oilhead, Hexhead, or Camhead type R-bike? Bade has mainte- nance DVDs for them as well, all recom- mended for the same reasons. The Wethead DVD is available for $30
plus shipping. For more information, visit
www.jvbproductions.com.
member tested
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